The Seibu Lions announced that Takeya Nakamura decided to exercise his international free agent option and stay with the organization. The Lions released the following statement from Nakamura:

I decided to exercise my international free agent option because I want to continue wearing the Lions uniform. I want to wear this uniform and, with the help from fans, hit as many home runs as possible, beginning next year. I also want to taste the happiness of winning the Nippon Series we failed to win this year with this team.